Discover. Connect. Take Action.

A Girl Scout Family

Since Doug Kleist and his wife Julie have two daughters who are active in Girl Scouts, a daughter who is a Girl Scout alumna and a son who is a Boy Scout alumnus, it’s no surprise that the two of them have become personally involved in Girl Scouting as volunteers.

Julie is the service unit manager for the Woodlake service unit, and both she and Doug are leaders for their two younger daughters’ troops. Doug has also been the troop cookie manager for the last two years and has served as an alternate delegate and a Centennial Day of Service coordinator for the Woodlake service unit.

Put simply, Doug says, “We are a Scouting family.”

One annual highlight for Doug and the troop he leads is the Woodlake service unit weekend encampment, which provides an extended time for the troop to be together and grow.

According to Doug, participating in Girl Scouts provides not only meaningful experiences for the girls, but it also provides a unique opportunity for the leaders.

“Being a Girl Scout leader allows you to make a difference in the lives of the youth that are our future,” Doug explained, “You get to watch them grow and mature into their own individuals, and you get to play a part of their development as young women.”

He added, “I can’t think of a better use of my free time than to help prepare our youth to be the leaders we need in the future, in their families and communities.”